Reinforced flexible conduit



July 7, 1953 V F. s. scHlNDLER E'rAl. 2,644,487 REINFORCED FLEXIBLEcoNl'nuIT Filed Feb. 13, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TORJS` July 7.1953 F. s. scHlNbLER Erm. 2,644,487

REINFORCED FLEXIBLE CONDUIT Filed Feb. 13, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2convolutions.

Patented July 7, 1953 REINFoRoEn FLEXIBLE coNDUrr Frank S. Schindler andRichard K. Titus, Elgin,

Ill., assignors to Chicago Metal Hose Corporation, Maywood, Ill., acorporation of Illinois Application February 13, 1948, Serial No. 8,116

6 Claims. (Cl. 13 8-49) This invention relates to flexible conduitstructures of the type adapted for high pressure use, and concernsparticularly the reinforcement means applied to the conduit forresisting the high pressures.

In the use of flexible conduits, particularly inlarger sizes such asexpansion joints, use with high iiuid pressures requires thatreinforcing means be applied to the conduit structure for enabling theflexible member or structure to resist the high pressure forcesinvolved. In certain instances such reinforcing means takes the formvoi? rings which are disposed in embracing relation to the convolutionsof the flexible member so as` to control the'operation of the member andaid in the resisting. of internal bursting fluid pressures. In expansionjoints, for example, the iiexible member may comprise a thin wallannularly corrugated flexible conduit piece, the annular corrugationsbeing embraced respectively by aseries of annular rings suitably shapedto conform to the convolution contours. l

In the conventional fabrication ofsuch units the flexible conduit pieceor member is first vformed by suitable means, such for example asdrawing, or forming and welding la cylindrical blank from sheet stock,followed by the cor- 'rugating operations, such for example as rollingor other forming operations; after which the reinforcing rings areapplied as complemental half circular pieces suitably bolted together inembracing relation to the formed Such fabrication of the unit is costly,and is moreover subject to certain diniculties such for example as theAweakening of the reinforcement rings by thev bolt holes, the unbalanceof the bolt connections, and other unsatisfactory conditions inducedbythe nature and method of assembly of the parts.

*Inv accordance with the present invention the reinforcement rings,heretofore mentioned, are employed as a part of the apparatus or meansY, by which the corrugating of the iiexible member is effected, wherebyto secure economy of fabrication and improved operating character- 2fecting l-the production of reinforced fiexible conduits of the typedefined. More specifically stated it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an improved reinforced flexible conduit, andmethods and apparatus for fabrication, wherein the unit may be morecheaply fabricated; wherein the reinforcement means will have greaterstrength and balance in respect yto its size and weight; and wherein abetter t and cooperation is obtained between the reinforcing means andthe convolutions of Vthe flexible member providing increased durability,a greater latitude in manufacturing tolerances, and smoothness ofoperation.

A still furtherl object of the invention is to provide an improvedreinforced flexible conduit in avoidance of the difficulties heretoforediscussed. Y

Various other` objects, advantages and features of the invention will beapparent from thefollowing specification when taken in connection with`the accompanying drawings, wherein certain preferred embodiments areset forth for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 2 is a partial illustrative side view of the apparatus employed inmanufacturing theA structure of the invention, the parts beingillustrated in one of the initialfsteps of fabrication;

Fig. 3'is a transverse `sectional view of the structureof Fig. 2 on theline 3-3 thereof;

Fig'. 4 is' a horizontal sectional view of the structure of Figs. 2 and3, on the line 4 4 of.

Fig. 3; v

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the partsv in a later stepof fabrication;

v Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the parts of Fig. 2, on anenlarged scale, and more particularly showing the details ofconstruction;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a subsequent step in thefabricating operations;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the structure of Fig. '7 on theline 8- 8 thereof;

Fig. 9 is a partial View, similar to the showings in Fig. 6, butillustrating a modified form of construction; Y V

Figs. 10 and 11 are detail illustrative views showing the end detail ofthe unit as fabricated respectively by the methods of Figs. 6 and 9;

Fig. l2 is a view illustrating a modified form of reinforcementl ring;and

Fig. 13 is a view showing the principles of the invention as applied toiiexible tubing.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, and rst to the embodimentof Figs. 1 7, in Fig. 1 there is illustrated a cylindrical conduit pieceor member lil, a reinforcement ring i2, and a reinforcement ring iii,the parts being shown in juxtaposed position prior to'assembly.

The conduit piece l5 is preferably of suitable metal, plastic or othermaterial having the desired physical properties for .the installation'to.be made, and may be drawn, or fabricated from at sheet stock bent intocylindrical shape and, in the case of metal, longitudinally seam weldedas indicated at I.

Referring to Figs 2, 3 and 4i, a forming apparatus is shown comprising amachine base i8 having frame pedestals 2E) and 22 disposed at theopposite ends thereof. The pedestal 22 comprises a lower stationaryportion and a hinged upper portion 24 pivotally mounted upon the lowerportion as indicated at 25, Fig. 3; there being a clamping controlhandle as indicated at 28 for locking and unlocking the upper hingedportion 2li for pivotal movement. Split die or clamping members asindicated at 32 and 32 are carried, respectively, by the lower and upperpedestal members, said clamping dies being removably secured to thepedestals and being of a size and shape in `conformance with theparticular conduit structure to be formed.

The pedestal 22 is provided with an upper hinged portion as indicated at3d, similar hinge connections and control being provided as in the caseof the parts 25 and2-B previously described.

The cooperative'pedestal portions 22, 3d, howi,

ever, instead of carrying split die members 3i! and S2, are cut away toprovide an enlarged central opening 36 for a purpose as will presentlyappear.

A V-shaped guide and support member 38 eX- tends between and issupported by the fixed pedestals 2ER, 22, whereas a similarly shapedguide member til extends between and is supported by the hinged pedestalmembers 24 and 34.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the xed pedestals ris provided a clampingplug 5f! adapted to be positioned between the cooperative split dies 353and 32. More specifically, the plug member comprises a pair of plates 52and 54 secured together and having interposed therebetween a plate orsheet of rubber 55. The plug is provided with-a 'passage 5Einterconnecting with a liquid supply conduit Sil leading from a suitablepressure reservoinand a passage 62 interconnecting with an air escape orexhaust conduit 64. A bolt 56 extends through the plug, the bolt havingpivoted to its outer end a cam 63 to which is secured a handle 7E?. Thearrangement is such that upon manipulation of the handle, the plates 52and 54 `may be compressed relatively toward each other `hydraulicpressure is introduced, axial force is so as to radially expand therubber member 56 into clamping engagement toward the split die members3G and 32.

Referring further to Fig. 6, it will be seen that the apparatus furthercomprises a second plug member generally indicated by the referencenumeral l2, composed of a pair of metal plates 'M and 'i6 adapted toclampingly engage an intermediate plate ?8 of rubber or the like. A bolt@il operable by a cam 82 and handle 84 is provided for effecting theradial expansion of the rubber' plate T8, as in the case of the plugstructure Eil previously described. The rubber plate i3 co operates witha ring 85 adapte-d to be arrange embracing relation therewith. The plugi2 is carried by the end of a. piston rod 55 adapte to be connected to asuitable cylinder and piston structure (not shown) by which the pistonrod may be power propelled in an axial direction.

In the operation of fabricating the reinforced iiexible conduit, inaccordance with the present invention, thecylinder blank le is mountedwithin the .forming apparatus, as shown in 2, with the reinforcementrings i2 embracing the blank in predetermined .spaced relation, asshown. In addition to the intermediate rings i2, the number of which isdetermined by the length and desired physical characteristics of theconipleted unit, one end ange reinforcing ring ill is arranged atveitherend of the structure.

In mounting the cylinder blank i5! and the reinforcement rings i2 and i4into position, the hinged pedestal sections 24 and 3d are raised so asto render the interior of the forming apparatus accessible. The lowersupport trough 38 is so disposed as to ,properly position the parts, therings l2 and lill being supported thereon.

To effect the rapid and proper axial placement of therings, the templ'etbars i2 and il are brought into operative position, as shown in Fig. 4.The inner edges of these bars are notched at proper intervals to spaceand position the reinforcement rings.

The plug members and 'i2 are next mounted in position, into the oppositeends of the cylinder blank, the ring S5 being arranged in embracingrelation to one end of the tube, around the plug 12.

The hinged pedestal sections 2e and Se may next be lowered, and clamped;and the handles li and 2li manipulated to grip the opposite ends of thecylindrical blank. As will be understood, one end of the blank isclamped in a fluid-tight joint between the rubber plate 55 and thecooperative die members 2:3 and 32. rEhe opposite end of the blank isgripped in a duid-tight connection between the rubber expander plate land the ring 85.

AIhetemplet bars 42 and lli are next withdrawn, after which liquid underpressure is introduced into the interior of the cylindrical blank Iii bymeans of the pressure conduit et and associated plug passage 58.lTrapped air within the blank is relieved through passage 52 andassociated conduit 65, as will be understood. As the also imparted tothe piston rod '35, whereby to efect a radial expansion and axialcollapse of the Wall sections of the blank i0 at spaced intervals, so asto form annular corrugations therein. The parts are shown prior to theforming operation in Figs. 2 and 6, and after the forming in Figs. 5 and7. During the forming operation the reinforcing rings I2 move intoengagement, as shown in Fig. 7, the guide members 3S and 4i] rings. v v

As best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, Vtheinterior surfaces of the rings I2andf|4 are shapedas indicated at 88 so as to impart a predetermined shaping to the convolution walls as the convolutions are formed. Y

Upon Vrelief of the hydraulicpressure, Withdrawal of the plugs, andopening of the pedestal hinge sections, the assembled expansion unitcomprised of thev corrugated blank Iii and the integral rings I and I4may be removed from the forming apparatus.v To complete the unit eachend'of the blank I0 may be flanged over onto the end face of itsassociated flange member i4, as indicated at Si) in Fig. 10. Also, aslight axial pulling force is imparted to each end of the blank so as toeffect a slight separation of the rings as shown at 92. t t

It will be seen that in accordance with the structures set forth, thereinforcing rings I2 and I4, which remain as a part of the completedunit, are employed also as the forming dies for forming the convolutionsin the cylindrical blank or exible conduit piece I0. The production of areinforced flexible conduit, such for example as an expansion unit, isthus facilitated inasmuch as it is not necessary to assemble reinforcingrings upon the structure after the corrugating operations. Further, thevarious reinforcement rings I2 and I4 are of one piece integralconstruction, the unbalance and weakness of bolt holes and associatedbolt connections being avoided. The rings may thus be made smaller, andlighterin weight, in respect to any required ring strength. Stillfurther, any slight irregularities or imperfections as may be present inthe rings will be reproduced in the associated con volutions 94 of themember I0 cooperable there with, so that such irregularities andimperfections in effect neutralize themselves and in any responding infunction and purpose to the reinforcing ring I4 previously described, isemployed as the reaction base for the rubber clamping plate 56, thesplit die members, such for example as indicated at 32a, being shaped toreceive the ring Ilia and to conform thereto. The ringv |4a is-preferably in this instance provided with a recess 95 into which anannular portion of the member I0 is projected as the rubber plate 56 isexpanded.

If desired, the interconnection between the members I0 and I4a may befurther reinforced by a circular seam resistance weld, as indicated at96 in Fig. 11, the weld being formed after the corrugating operation bysuitable means such as welding rollers 90 and |00.

The present invention particularly lends itself to constructionswherein, due to the requirements of a particular installation, thereinforcing rings may be of different cross section so as to impartpredetermined characteristics of movement to the flexible conduit piece.Thus in Fig. 12 an embodiment isv illustrated wherein the intermediatereinforcing ringsas indicated respectively at I2a and IZb are ofdifferent cross sectional contour, and resultingly the corrugations inthe flexible member I0 will be differently shaped in conformity thereto.As in the previously described structures, it will be seen that theconvolutions of the flexible conduit piece will be automatically shapedto conform to the contours of the reinforcing rings, simultaneously asthe rings are non-removably secured upon the flexible member.

In the structures heretofore described, the reinforced flexible conduitof the invention has been illustrated primarily as embodied into anexpansion joint forconduitsand the like. In Fig. 13 a flexible hose ortubing vis illustrated embodying the invention. The flexible conduitmember I0 in this instance .forms a flexible tube or hose, upon whichvthere is assembled the plurality of reinforcing rings as indicated at I2and I4. .Due to the fact that the ringsare integral, and unimpeded bybolts andthe like, it will be seen that they may be readily encompassedWithin a braid |02, the end of which is circular seam resistance weldedas indicated at |04 to a suitable coupling piece |06. The tubing end andthe ring I4 may also be circular seam resistance Welded to the couplingas indicated at |08, in a manner similar to the formation of the weld 96previously described. As will be understood, the weld |08 is formedprior to the application of the braid.V The rings I2 and I4 may be madeof aluminum or magnesium, whereby to provide a lightweight hosestructure. The rings not only impart strength to the tube member I0,resistant to iluid internal pressures, but also act as limiting meansfor limiting the degree of bending imparted to any convolution of thetubing whereby to preclude inadvertent rupture or `the like. The braidprovides resistance to axial elongation due to fluid pressure. Stillfurther, 'the rings and braid provide protection for the convolutions ofthe tubing against inadvertent hammer knocks and the like. As in theembodiments previously described, the rings I2 and I4 are employed asdies for forming the tubing convolutions, the dies being nonremovablyconnected to the tubing as an incident to 'the convolution formingoperations. The structure of Fig. 13 thus providesl a rugged highpressure hose unit which may be readily fabricated by means of the ringsI2 and I 4 which provide the dual purposes of reinforcing rings andforming dies.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the speciilcembodiments set forth without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The invention is accordingly not to be limited to the specieembodiments shown and described, but only as indicated in the followingclaims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. A reinforced flexible conduit structure comprising a plurality ofdiscrete and integral reinforcing and corrugating die rings, said ringshaving relatively narrow and inwardly directed radial portions and outerperipheral flange portions varying in thickness due to manufacturingtolerances and axially Wider than said radial portions to provideabutment surfaces, and an annularly corrugated conduit positioned withits trough portions in alignment with the inner edges of said radialportions and expanded outwardly therebetween and within said outerperipheral ilange portions to provide a flexible annularly corrugatedconduit with' pitch distances between successive corrugations varying inaccordance with manufacturing tolerances, the radial portions of saidrings positioned in the troughs of the conduit and the outer peripheralportions of said rings overlying the crest portions of the conduit andwith the abutment surfaces of the rings positioned for mutual contactingengagement to limit contraction of the flexible corrugated' conduit,said die rings being effective to cause variations in the thickness ofthe ring flange portions to correspond respectively with variations inthe pitch distan-ces between successive corrugations of the conduit.

2. A reinforced exible conduit structure as claimed in claim 1, whereintherel is provided a flexible braid collectively embracing the tube andthe rings.

3. A reinforced iiexible conduit structure as claimed in claim 1,wherein there is provided an integral end ring annular-ly embracing theend portion of the tube and radially disposed to back up the side wallof the adjacent end corrugation of the tube.

4. A reinforced exible conduit structure as claimed in claim 1, whereincertain of said rings have different cross sectional shaping with eachconvolution of the corrugated tube conforming respectively to theshaping of the adjacent ring associated therewith.

5. A reinforced flexible conduit structure as claimed in claim 1,wherein said reinforcing and die rings are substantially homogeneousthroughout their periphery.

6. A reinforced flexible conduit .structure as claimed in claim 1,wherein there is provided an integral end ring annularly embracing theend portion of the conduit, said end ring having a recess in the borethereof into which a projection of the tube extends to anchor the ringin position on the tube.

FRANK S. SCHINDLER. RICHARD K. TI'I'US.

References Cited in the file of this patent Great Britain Feb. 3, 1927

